CHP Makes Arrest in Hit-and-Run Killing of Bicyclist

A memorial erected in honor of bicyclist Mark Pendleton shortly after his death. Flickr photo: PappyV

The California Highway Patrol has confirmed the arrest a 53-year-old El Sobrante man allegedly responsible for last year’s hit-and-run killing of bicyclist Mark Pendleton, who was hit while riding on McEwen Road south of Highway 4 near Port Costa in Contra Costa County.

CHP Sergeant Mike White said Harold Brown was arrested Tuesday night and later charged with felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter. A spokesperson for the Contra Costa County jail said Brown was booked and released after posting bail the next day. Calls to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office were not returned.

Pendleton, 49, was described as a longtime electrician for the San Francisco Chronicle who had “taken up riding to spend more time with his sons,” according to a piece the newspaper published on November 26th, 2008, which seemed to indicate he was partly responsible for the crash (“accident”): 

A northbound vehicle apparently crossed over the center line and hit
him, said Officer Scott Yox of the California Highway Patrol.

Pendleton, an avid cyclist and a member of the Wells Fargo racing
team, was returning home on the two-lane road from a training ride.
Darkness had already fallen and Pendleton was not using lights or
reflectors at the time of the accident. He died at the scene and his
bicycle was destroyed.